State title hopes for well-balanced Celtics

Trinity Catholic returns an experienced quarterback with lots of weapons on offense and a defense led by a pair of Division I talents. It's state title or bust for the Celtics.

By Ted BeckStaff writer

COACH: John Brantley III, sixth year, 50-142012 RECORD: 8-4, lost in regional finalsDISTRICT: 3A-2RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense, 5 defenseSTAR WATCH: Quarterback Reid Carlton (6-3, 218) returns to anchor the offense as a three-year starter. He threw for nearly 1,600 yards and had 21 total touchdowns last season. Carlton missed the spring game after suffering a foot injury. On defense, senior cornerback Dominique Brown (6-0, 182) and sophomore pass rusher Jordan Woods (6-3, 245) have Division I offers in hand, while junior linebackers Marquis Hendrix (6-1, 215) and Ulysees Gilbert (6-2, 240) have been garnering recruiting looks too.NEW FACES: Junior running back London Gaskin (5-10, 173) transferred in from Vanguard and is expected to get carries along with sophomore Johnny Taylor, who had a great spring for the Celtics. Senior tight end Max Linder (6-4, 230), a Middle Tennessee commit, attended Trinity as a freshman and sophomore but played at Forest last season.QUOTABLE: “We're excited about this year. Just like every TC team, we have a chance. If things go our way and we can stay healthy, we have a chance to go deep into the playoffs and make a run at this thing.” — Brantley.BEST CASE: The well-balanced Celtics meet all expectations with a sturdy O-line led by tackle Nick Certain (6-4, 305), who will protect a talented group of skill players capable of putting up plenty of points, which will lead to a third state title.WORST CASE: The playoffs seem like all but a certainty nowadays for the Celtics, who've been in the postseason every year since 2003. Poor preparation and costly mistakes in November and beyond seem to be the only thing standing in the way from a deep playoff run.PREDICTION: With both 2012 state finalists moved out of Class 3A, Trinity will use its tough non-district schedule to prepare and be rolling on all cylinders for the playoffs. Trinity will play for a state championship this year.